Why using a rangefinder might be *hurting* your game
Rangefinders are great tools, but can do more harm than good if used incorrectly.
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Welcome to Play Smart, a regular GOLF.com game-improvement column that will help you play smarter, better golf.
Rangefinders are wonderful tools that are a great investment if you’re getting serious about golf. With the ability to laser the pin, bunkers and other obstacles on the course, you can take the guesswork out of your game and really dial in your shots.
But while rangefinders are great tools, they can be used incorrectly — and then they can do more harm than good.
Recently as I was scrolling on social media, I stumbled upon a video from Jon Sherman regarding this exact topic. Sherman is one of the brightest minds in golf when it comes to course management, so it immediately piqued my interest. Check it out below.
Sherman makes an excellent point about how rangefinders can actually hurt your game. When you’ve got your laser in your hand, it’s likely you are only shooting the distance to the pin. However, this is typically a poor strategy.
Firing directly at flags may be good fodder for stories at the 19th hole after the round, but it’s not the best tactic if you want to post low scores. When you only focus on the flag, you are ignoring some key yardages that are needed to be successful.
Bushnell Tour V6 Laser Rangefinder
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